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Ken Taylor to be honoured by the Schmeelk Canada Foundation at the University of Calgary

MONTREAL, Jan. 11, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - The Schmeelk Canada Foundation is pleased to announce the dedication of a university fellowship at the University of Calgary in honour of the late Ken Taylor, a native of Calgary. The Fellowship recognized the valour and ingenuity shown by the late Ken Taylor best demonstrated during his mandate as the Canadian Ambassador to Iran during the 1979 Iran hostage crisis, when he sheltered six American diplomats and assisted their escape from the country.

When selecting the Ken Taylor Fellow at the University of Calgary, preference will be given to Canadian francophone Masters and Doctoral students whose field of study reflects Mr. Taylor's life's work (International Relations, Political Science, History, Business, Public Policy and Strategic Studies) and who have demonstrated that they share the values and personal qualities exemplified by Ken Taylor throughout his career.

The Chairman of the Schmeelk Canada Foundation, Mr. Pierre Lortie, explained that the Ken Taylor Fellowship was created to celebrate "an iconic figure in Canada's modern diplomatic history. We are proud to recognize his life's work and service to Canada with this Fellowship." Dr. Elizabeth Cannon, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calgary, expressed satisfaction with the initiative adding that "the University of Calgary is proud to be the only university in Western Canada to host a Schmeelk Scholar. We applaud the Schmeelk Foundation's commitment to fostering ties between French and English speaking Canadians, and its decision to honour the legacy of a great Calgarian and Canadian – the late Ken Taylor – with this scholarship."

Commenting on the decision of the Board, Richard J. Schmeelk said "I am very pleased that Patricia has agreed that the Schmeelk Canada Foundation Fellowship at the University of Calgary will be awarded to Canadian francophone graduate students in honour of Ken, her late husband."

About the Richard J. Schmeelk Canada, Ken Taylor Fellowships and University of Calgary

The prestigious Richard J. Schmeelk Canada Fellowship has been offered to French and English speaking Canadians since 1985. The Fellowship is worth up to $40,000 and is available to any Canadian student who holds a bachelor's degree and wishes to pursue graduate studies in Canada's other official language at one of its university partners, Western University, University of Calgary, Université Laval and Université de Montréal. Beginning with the 2016 academic year, francophone students pursuing graduate studies at the University of Calgary will be eligible for the Ken Taylor Fellowship.

The Richard J. Schmeelk Canada Fellowship and the Ken Taylor Fellowship offer Fellows a unique opportunity to expand their knowledge and awareness of Canada and to cultivate diverse opportunities country-wide. To date, more than 100 young Canadians have been awarded this prestigious Fellowship, with more to come

The Schmeelk Canada Foundation is a registered charity and is dedicated to the promotion of intercultural awareness and interprovincial studies. It awards the Richard J. Schmeelk and Ken Taylor Fellowships. The Fellowship was originally established by the personal contributions and initiative of New York investment banker, Richard J. Schmeelk.

The University of Calgary is situated in Canada's most enterprising city, and is a natural fit with the Schmeelk Foundation's core values of recognizing achievement and character, while bringing together anglophone and francophone Canada. The Schmeelk Foundation's support of research leaders and desire to forge closer ties with both government and Calgary's business community closely aligns with the university's Eyes High goal of becoming one of Canada's top five research universities by 2016, the 50th anniversary of the institution.

SOURCE Schmeelk Canada Foundation

For further information: Adam Daifallah, Vice-President Communications and member of the Board of Directors, Schmeelk Canada Foundation, 514.316.7089, adaifallah@hatleystrategies.com